Decision to move school not a good one

Although I was disappointed that Riverside will be closed next year, I was pleased that the school will be open for another year. Having students involved in the decisions will certainly make the transition easier for them.

Is this really the answer to the district’s budget problems?

What we need to remember is that when students are transferred to the current high school, they will no longer be “alternative”. A “school within a school” does not make it an alternative school. Idaho Code #08.02.03 110 states “Alternative high school programs conducted during the regular school year will be located on a separate site from the regular high school facility or be scheduled at a time different from the regular school hours.” A “school within a school” will change the student’ classification and also change the funding rate for those particular students.

I agree it will be good for the RHS students to have other classes available to them, but is this what they really need or want? These students will be forced back into a situation that drove them to an alternative school in the first place.

These students need the extra one on one attention, prodding and motivation these teachers have given them. They are mainly focused on getting their education not on drama or art classes.

The district is doing a great disservice to these very special – very needy students by closing Riverside High School.

Delores Gardner

Bonners Ferry